“An Evening on Lessons Learned and Ways Forward in Disasters”
An informal gathering for government and humanitarian partners to discuss residual needs and DRRM priorities th
On 13 November, IOM facilitated “An Evening on Lessons Learned and Ways Forward”. An informal forum to share experiences of previous and ongoing emergency responses, especially for Haiyan and Zamboanga, with government and humanitarian partners as well as to discuss residual needs and how to move forward. The event took place in Manila, and was attended by 36 participants from government partners, embassies, donors, UN partners, non-profit organizations and the private sector. IOM’s Chief of Mission Mr. Marco Boasso opened the event by expressing his gratitude to IOM’s government partners and international agencies who have worked together with IOM in past and on-going assistance operations. Mr. Boasso mentioned that “this event is not to talk about IOM, but much more to share experiences and lessons learned”. “The event should help us to learn about residual needs and how to prepare for future disasters as well as to share ideas to move forward to continue working together”, he added. The three-hour event was filled with lively discussions between the four panelists, the Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary Corazón “Dinky” Soliman, Governor of Capiz Mr. Victor Tanco, the Mayor of Guiuan Mr. Christopher Sheen Gonzales and Zamboanga’s City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer Dr. Elmer Apolinario, and also involved interactive questions and comments from the audience. The event was divided into two rounds of discussions, the first round focusing on the Haiyan Response, while the second was on the Zamboanga Crisis. Key priorities and residual needs as well as the transition from the emergency phase to the recovery phase were rigorously discussed during the night. At the same time, IOM launched a new strategy paper called Community-level Assistance for Risk Reduction Management (CARRM), which continues IOM’s planned strategies for Disasters Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) for the year 2015 and onwards. The document is aligned to the DSWDs priorities on preparedness. For detailed information about the CARRM, please go to: http://philippineresponse.iom.int/sites/default/files/pdf/Philippines_CARRM_Nov14. pdf.
Marco Boasso IOM Chief of Mission opening the event ©IOM 2014
From left: Conrad Navidad IOM Programme Manager, Governor Victor Tanco, Secretary Corazón Soliman and Mayor Christopher Sheen Gonzalez – later joined by Dr. Elmer Apolinario ©IOM 2014
Representatives from international agencies, donors, NGOs and the private sector listening during the informal event ©IOM 2014
Cover of IOM’s new Community-level Assistance for Risk Reduction Management strategy paper ©IOM 2014
The main reason for the evening however, was to continue to facilitate the important dialogue between partners in an entertaining and informal environment. If you would like to join our next partner’s evening please let us know. IOM Philippines | Tel: +63 2 230 1999 | E-mail: iomphilippines@iom.int| Website: Http://philippineresponse.iom.int |Twitter: @IOM_Philippines
Issued 14 November 2014